Examining the Effect of Adherence to Administrative Procedures and Guidelines of Setting Examinations on the Quality of Examinations in Public Universities in Kenya
Abstract
University examinations play a significant role in evaluating the teaching and learning process and therefore have an impact on both teaching and learning outcomes. However, there is a widespread perception that the quality of examinations in universities in Kenya is declining. This study sought to critically examine the effect of adherence to administrative procedures and guidelines of setting examinations on the quality of examinations in public universities in Kenya. The study used the mixed method research design. The study combined phenomenological research design for qualitative data and cross-sectional survey research design for quantitative data. Both probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used to select the sample for the study. The researcher purposively sampled 5 universities from the 31 public universities in Kenya. The total number of academic staff in the 5 sampled universities was 4,134. The study sampled 5 Examination Administrators/deputy Registrar Examination and Administration, 5 Registrar Academic and Students’ affairs (RASA), 5 Quality Assurance Officers/Directors, 10 Deans of faculties, 10 Heads of Departments and 207 academic staff (lecturers). A total of 242 respondents were involved in the study. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, interview guides and document analysis guide. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented through frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviations and inferential statistics by conducting a correlation and multiple regression. Qualitative data was organized into themes to make meaningful conclusions of the study. The study found a statistically significant mean difference between adherence to administrative procedures and guidelines and the quality of examinations in public universities in Kenya. The study concluded that the academic staff does not adhere to the administrative procedures and guidelines on setting examinations set out by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The study therefore recommends that university administration should provide funds to train the university academic staff on administrative procedures and guidelines of setting examinations in order to improve the quality of examinations in public universities in Kenya.
Keywords: Adherence to administrative procedures and guidelines, quality of examinations, public universities.
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